Alcohol-related Crime: Wales

Lord Roberts of Llandudno: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	How many convictions for alcohol-related crimes there were in each police authority area in Wales in 1950; 1960; 1970; 1980; 1990; 1995; 2000; and 2003.

Baroness Scotland of Asthal: It is not possible, from the court proceedings data held by the Office for Criminal Justice Reform to identify all offences where alcohol was, involved, as the circumstances of the offences are not collected.

Antarctic Glacier Melt

Lord Avebury: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	What assessment they have made of the prospect that the Larsen B ice shelf and the west Antarctic ice sheet will disintegrate over the next half century; and of the effect this disintegration would have on sea levels round the coast of the United Kingdom.

Lord Bach: The British Antarctic Survey advises that almost all the Larsen B ice shelf has already disintegrated and this has added little to global sea level rise. It is unlikely that the west Antarctic ice sheet (WAIS) will collapse completely during the next 50 years but a study commissioned by Defra in 2002 suggested that there was a 5 per cent. chance of WAIS disintegration within the next two centuries. Recent changes to the WAIS are contributing between 0.1 mm and 0.2 mm/year to global (and thus UK) sea level rise. By 2050 this could cause a total additional increase in sea level of between 5 mm and 10 mm.
	To put these figures in context, global sea levels are currently rising at between 10 mm and 20 mm/decade because of thermal expansion of the ocean and glacier melt. Future sea level rises around the UK are not expected to be uniform because of regional factors. The 2002 UK Climate Impacts Programme (UKCIP) scenarios for the south-east of the country indicate an increase of 260 mm and 860 mm above current levels by the 2080s.

Arms Trade Treaty

Baroness Northover: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	What progress they have made towards negotiations opening in 2006 on the development of an international arms trade treaty.

Lord Triesman: The Government have been actively pursuing the initiative for an international arms trade treaty during the UK's presidencies of the G8 and of the EU. At Gleneagles in July, leaders of the G8 agreed that the "development of international standards in arms transfers . . . would be an important step toward tackling the undesirable proliferation of conventional arms". On 3 October, European Union Foreign Ministers added the EU's voice to the growing support for an international treaty to establish common standards for the global trade in conventional arms, and called for the start of a formal negotiation process at the United Nations (UN) at the earliest opportunity. We will now work to generate support for such a process among international partners in order to build momentum towards our objective of beginning initial discussions in the UN later in 2006.

Business Case Scrutiny

Lord Laird: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Further to the Written Answer by the Lord Rooker on 10 November (WA 90), what measures they propose to take to ensure that Members of Parliament are able to subject business cases to scrutiny, in view of the fact that copies can not be placed in the Library of the House.

Lord Rooker: Her Majesty's Government consider that all information requested by noble Lords should be placed in the Library of the House, except where there are clear public interest reasons not to, such as where information has been provided in confidence and to release it would be likely to prejudice commercial interests.

Chancellor of the Exchequer: Entertainment Budget

Lord Hanningfield: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	What was the cost of official entertainment given by the Chancellor of the Exchequer in each of the last eight years at (a) HM Treasury; (b) No. 11 Downing Street; and (c) all other venues.

Lord McKenzie of Luton: The total cost of official entertainment given by the Chancellor in the last three financial years at all venues was £47,500 in 2002–03, £24,700 in 2003–04 and £43,700 in 2004–05. Costs specific to the Chancellor's entertainment for the earlier years, and an analysis by venue, could be provided only at disproportionate cost. All expenditure on official entertainment is made in accordance with published departmental guidance on financial procedures and propriety, based on the principles set out in Government Accounting, and in accordance with the ministerial code.

Civil Partnerships

Lord Hodgson of Astley Abbotts: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Further to the Written Answer by the Baroness Scotland of Asthal on 21 November (WA 187), whether they will amend the last line of page 2 of the Civil Partnership Act 2004 (Amendments to Subordinate Legislation) Order 2005 (S.I. 2005/2114) to include the words "the deceased tenant as a child of the family in relation to that marriage"

Baroness Scotland of Asthal: The last line of page 2 of the Civil Partnership Act 2004 (Amendments to Subordinate Legislation) Order 2005 (S.I. 2005/2114) already contains the words "the deceased tenant as a child of the family in relation to that marriage".
	Paragraph 1(c) of Schedule 1 to the Order, at the bottom of page 2, reads:
	"(c) in paragraph (4), for sub-paragraph (d), substitute—
	(d) any person (not within (b) or (c) above) who, in case of any marriage or civil partnership to which the deceased tenant was at any time a party, was treated by the deceased tenant as a child of the family in relation to that marriage or civil partnership."

Civil Partnerships:Overseas Relationships

Lord Lester of Herne Hill: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Whether they will amend article 2(f) of the Civil Partnership Act 2004 (Overseas Relationships) Order 2005 (S.I. 2005/3135) to include in relation to Massachusetts a reference to domestic partnership, which in addition to marriage, is another form of registered status for same-sex couples recognised by Massachusetts law.

Baroness Scotland of Asthal: The Government have no plans to include domestic partnerships registered in the city of Cambridge, Massachusetts, to the Civil Partnership Act 2004 (Overseas Relationships) Order 2005 (S.I. 2005/3135).
	A foreign relationship is capable of being treated as a civil partnership in the UK provided certain conditions are met. These include the condition that, under the law of the country or territory in which it was formed, the relationship results in the parties being treated as a couple or treated as married. Territory means a state or province within a country, so long as it has its own system of law. Cities such as Cambridge, Massachusetts do not fall under this definition of territory.

Council of Europe: Convention on Action Against Trafficking in Human Beings

Baroness Northover: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Whether they will sign and ratify the Council of Europe Convention on Action against Trafficking in Human Beings; and, if so, when.

Baroness Scotland of Asthal: The Government have not yet taken a decision on whether the United Kingdom will sign the Council of Europe Convention on Action against Trafficking in Human Beings. While we support the aims of the convention, there are provisions that present concerns for the UK and which remain under active consideration. We are assessing the level of risk associated with these provisions and considering actively how we might implement the convention safely, without placing more vulnerable people at risk. The Government are committed to tackling trafficking in human beings, domestically and internationally, and have in place a multi-faceted strategy on trafficking in human beings. We are determined that the measures we take bring the criminals responsible for this serious organised crime to justice, protect the victims of trafficking, and do not undermine our ability to control our borders.

Defra: Framework for Sustainable Development

Baroness Miller of Chilthorne Domer: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Whether the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs will meet its commitment to expand the list of "Quick Wins" in the 2002 Framework for Sustainable Development to at least 50 products by the end of the year.

Lord Bach: Working with key stakeholders, Defra's Market Transformation Programme has identified 54 candidate specifications for the proposed revised list of "Quick Wins". Public consultation on those runs from 30 September to 23 December.

Energy Administration Rules

Lord Hodgson of Astley Abbotts: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	What steps they are taking to ensure that personal representatives of an energy administrator are aware of the duties imposed on them by paragraph 86(1) of the Energy Administration Rules (S.I. 2005/2483).

Lord Sainsbury of Turville: The Government are not planning any specific action to raise awareness of the requirements in Rule 86(1) of the Energy Administration Rules 2005. So far as possible, we have based the Energy Administration Rules on the existing Insolvency Rules 1986, since these are already familiar to insolvency practitioners. The Insolvency Rules place similar duties on the personal representatives of insolvency practitioners to make notifications in the case of the death of an administrator, a liquidator, or a trustee in bankruptcy. In all cases, including energy administration, notice can instead be given by a partner in the firm of the deceased insolvency practitioner, or by anyone else producing a copy of the relevant death certificate. These requirements are well known and understood by insolvency practitioners, and as far as we are aware they cause no problems at the moment.

EU: Live Bird Imports

Baroness Byford: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Further to the reply by the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, Mr Ben Bradshaw, on 17 November (HC Deb, col. 1086), whether 700,000 birds were imported into the European Union last year, as stated by the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species.

Lord Bach: The number of CITES-listed live birds imported into the European Union in 2004 was 694,382.

Fishing Licences

Lord Mason of Barnsley: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	For each of the past five years, how many fishing licences have been sold; in what categories; how much was realised for these sales; and who benefited from them.

Lord Bach: Fisheries administrations do not hold information on the sale of fishing vessel licences, their value or who benefits from them.
	Information is held on the number of licence transfers. The table below provides the number of licence transfers in the United Kingdom in the past five years and in 2005 up to 23 November. The figures include the number of both single licence transfers and licence aggregations. Information is not held on whether any of these transfers involved a financial transaction between the parties concerned.
	
		
			 Year Number 
			 2000 635 
			 2001 688 
			 2002 606 
			 2003 757 
			 2004 765 
			 2005 699

Gaelic Athletic Association

Lord Laird: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	What funding has been provided to Gaelic Athletic Association activities in Northern Ireland in each of the past five years; and what were the cross-community conditions applying to that funding.

Lord Rooker: The Sports Council for Northern Ireland (SCNI) has given the following funding to Gaelic Athletic Association activities in each of the past five years.
	SCNI Exchequer Funding
	(Includes Safe Sports Ground Programme)
	
		
			  2001–02£ 2002–03£ 2003–04£ 2004–05£ 2005–06£ 
			 GAA activities 46,978 557,042 207,596 208,211 136,807 
		
	
	SCNI Lottery Funding
	(Includes Safe Sports Ground Programme)
	
		
			  2001–02£ 2002–03£ 2003–04£ 2004–05£ 2005–06£ 
			 GAA activities 162,500 884,462 1,181,112 750,947 101,330 
		
	
	The SCNI will not consider, and reserves the right to reconsider, applications in respect of projects or programmes that are likely to discriminate unlawfully against any person on the basis of their religious belief, political opinion, race, age, gender, disability, marital status, sexual orientation or those with or without dependants.
	In addition the Department of Finance and Personnel (DFP), Department of Education (DE), Department of Enterprise, Trade and Investment (DETI), Office of the First Minister and Deputy First Minister, Department of Health, Social Services and Public Safety (DHSSPS), Department of Agriculture and Rural Development (DARD) and Department for Social Development (DSD) have provided funding. These departments applied their own funding criteria. Funding has been provided as follows:
	DFP Funding
	
		
			  2001–02£ 2002–03£ 2003–04£ 2004–05£ 2005–06£ 
			 GAA activities Nil Nil 55,000 27,173 Nil 
			 Sports includingGAA activities Nil Nil 48,434 Nil Nil 
		
	
	Includes Peace II funding to projects involving Gaelic Athletic Association activities and other sports.
	DE Funding
	
		
			  2001–02£ 2002–03£ 2003–04£ 2004–05£ 2005–06£ 
			 GAA activities 1,500 1,500 330,088.81 20,165.44 5,998.49 
		
	
	DETI Funding
	
		
			  2001–02£ 2002–03£ 2003–04£ 2004–05£ 2005–06£ 
			 GAA activities 500 Nil Nil Nil Nil 
		
	
	OFMDFM Funding
	
		
			  2001–02£ 2002–03£ 2003–04£ 2004–05£ 2005–06£ 
			 GAA activities 2,370 Nil Nil Nil Nil 
		
	
	DHSSPS Funding
	
		
			  2001–02£ 2002–03£ 2003–04£ 2004–05£ 2005–06£ 
			 GAA activities Nil Nil Nil 7,650 4,565 
		
	
	DARD Funding (Exchequer and EU funding)
	
		
			  2001–02£ 2002–03£ 2003–04£ 2004–05£ 2005–06£ 
			 GAA activities Nil 11,188 Nil Nil Nil 
		
	
	DSD Funding
	
		
			  2001–02£ 2002–03£ 2003–04£ 2004–05£ 2005–06£ 
			 GAA activities 94,976.94 45,840.00 998 15,470.05 *252,699.82 
		
	
	* Includes the sum of £251,885.61 for funds committed, but not yet paid.

HM Prison Styal: Prison and Probation Ombudsman's Report

Lord Ramsbotham: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Why there was a delay of two years between the submission and publication of the Prisons Ombudsman's report into the suicide of six female inmates at H M Prison Styal.

Baroness Scotland of Asthal: It was not possible to publish the ombudsman's report before all six inquests were completed. This was in light of advice from the Cheshire Coroner. The final inquest was in April 2005, after which comments on the contents of the ombudsman's report were solicited from the bereaved families or those representing them. The last comments were received in mid-September and the ombudsman completed his revision of the draft in October. It was published on 17 November 2005.

Identity Cards

Lord Barnett: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	What estimates they have made of the initial capital costs of the implementation of the Identity Cards Bill; whether these costs will be amortised; if so, over how many years; and whether amortisation has been included in the annual operational costs.

Baroness Scotland of Asthal: Estimates of capital and other set-up costs have been made and reviewed by both the Office of Government Commerce gateway review team and by KPMG, the latter concluded that the cost estimates were reasonable and robust for the stage the programme has reached. The estimates themselves have not been published at this time as this information is commercially sensitive and discussion of estimated costs may prejudice the procurement process by limiting the department's ability to secure value for money from the market. The capital costs for the scheme will be amortised in line with this department's published resource accounting policies and the Government's resource accounting manual. Capital costs will be depreciated over varying lengths of time dependent upon the estimated working life of the asset. The cost of depreciating the initial capital costs has been included in the annual operational costs.

Identity Cards

Lord Barnett: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	How the initial capital costs of the implementation of the Identity Cards Bill will be treated in the published accounts.

Baroness Scotland of Asthal: The capital costs of implementing the identity card scheme will be accounted for in accordance with the Government's resource accounting manual and the Home Office's resource accounting (RA) policies. These assets will form part of the department's total asset base and will be depreciated, consistent with our accounting policies.

Identity Cards

Lord Barnett: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	What was the fee paid to KPMG for its review of the costs of the Home Office's identity cards programme.

Baroness Scotland of Asthal: The cost methodology and cost review recently undertaken by KPMG for the Home Office cost £90,000. This figure excludes VAT. KPMG was selected by competitive tender through S-CAT, the Office of Government Commerce's framework contract for services including audit and financial advice.

Identity Cards

Lord Barnett: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	What review they have made of the 40 per cent of total operating costs not included in paragraph 2.1 of the KPMG review of the costs of the Home Office's identity cards.

Baroness Scotland of Asthal: The KPMG review was just one of a series of reviews; the scheme is subject to external review at regular intervals by the OGC through the Gateway process. The identity cards programme team also conducts internal quality assurance of the cost calculations and operates strict change control processes. The cost estimates are also subject to internal Home Office review and approvals.

Identity Cards

Lord Barnett: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Whether they agree with the implementation timetable in paragraph 2.3 of the KPMG review of the costs of the Home Office's identity cards programme.

Baroness Scotland of Asthal: The Home Office asked KPMG to assume that the implementation timetable for the ID cards scheme set out in the outline business case was correct.

Identity Cards

Lord Barnett: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Whether they have any plans to increase the margin of contingency costs of the Home Office identity cards programme, given that the KPMG review of the costs of the programme noted in paragraph 4.1.4.1 that the 20 per cent contingency factor had in some cases been reduced to 8 per cent.

Baroness Scotland of Asthal: As KPMG recognised, the costs this is applied to are relatively low in relation to the overall scheme operating costs. We are however, currently reviewing this area and will incorporate appropriate changes into the next version of the outline business case.

Identity Cards

Lord Barnett: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Whether they accept the recommendation in the KPMG review of the costs of the Home Office identity cards programme that a more detailed risk-based approach, such as quantitative risk analysis, should be considered for estimating the total cost of the proposed identity card scheme.

Baroness Scotland of Asthal: The Summary of Work in Progress published by the Home Office on 9 November 2005 sets out that the Home Office will undertake an exercise to incorporate the most appropriate form of quantitative risk analysis during the procurement phase and in advance of the development of the "full business case"—the version of the business case that needs to be produced for OGC Gateway Review 3 in advance of contract signature.

Identity Cards

Lord Barnett: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	In the light of paragraph 4.1.7.1 of the KPMG review of the costs of the Home Office's identity cards programme, which states that the outline business case review does not present a range of alternative approaches and therefore is not consistent with HM Treasury's Green Book guidance, what action they intend to take.

Baroness Scotland of Asthal: The Summary of Work in Progress published by the Home Office on 9 November sets out that this recommendation will be incorporated into the next version of the business case in early 2006.

Identity Cards

Lord Barnett: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Whether the recommendation in paragraph 4.3.2 of the KPMG review of the costs of the Home Office's identity cards programme that, given the inconclusive evidence for the lifespan of the cards, an increase in damage rates for the cards in the latter stages of the first 10 years should be reflected in the outline business case review model or an estimate of cost for a warranty of the card be included, has been implemented.

Baroness Scotland of Asthal: The Summary of Work in Progress published by the Home Office on 9 November 2005 sets out that the Home Office has been given confidence in the market's ability to meet the challenge of developing cards with a 10-year life and manageable failure rates through general agreement among card manufacturers that a 10-year card life is possible, including evidence from other countries where manufacturers guarantee card life for ten years. The KPMG report sets out that the Home Office has gathered as much evidence as is available at this point in time to support our estimate of card durability, and that the revised damage/fault rates developed by the Home Office are reasonable.

Identity Cards

Lord Barnett: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Whether they have implemented the recommendation in paragraph 4.4.2 of the KPMG review of the costs of the Home Office's identity cards programme that the five-year depreciation assumption for mobile enrolment centres should be increased to eight years.

Baroness Scotland of Asthal: The Summary of Work in Progress published by the Home Office on 9 November 2005 sets out that this recommendation is being considered through the change control process for the business case.

Immigration Acts: Persons in Detention

Lord Ramsbotham: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Why the Essex Constabulary charge £1,200 per night for an immigration detainee to be held overnight in a police cell.

Baroness Scotland of Asthal: Essex Police Authority's charging policy at the relevant time was based on the "private hire rate"; the same one that is applied to policing of events like concerts and football matches. The Immigration Service is currently working with all the police authorities, including Essex, to achieve an effective and appropriate charging policy.

Irish Language Agency

Lord Laird: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	What groups and individuals have been consulted to date by the sponsoring departments about the proposed relocation of the headquarters of the Irish Language Agency; and whether the appropriate trade unions were involved.

Lord Rooker: I have nothing to add to the Answers I gave the noble Lord on 10 October (WA 41–2) and 17 November (WA 158).

Israel-Palestine: EU Intervention

Lord Dykes: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Whether, following the decision on European Union official involvement in the Rafah crossing monitoring procedures in the Gaza strip, they will press for further similar measures of practical involvement in the peace process by the European Union.

Lord Triesman: The EU fully supports the work of quartet special envoy James Wolfensohn and will continue to provide practical and political support in order to implement his rapid action plan. One example of this is the EU presence at the Gaza-Egypt border crossing. There is scope for further EU involvement in the peace process and the EU will continue to offer assistance in the future.

Middle East: UK Special Envoy

Lord Dykes: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Whether they will set out the dates and details of the main initiatives taken by the Prime Minister's special representative on the Middle East in respect of moves leading to peace between Israel and Palestine.

Lord Triesman: As my right honourable friend the Prime Minister's special envoy, the noble Lord, Lord Levy, meets frequently with senior Israeli Government and Palestinian Authority figures to take forward policy on the Middle East peace process. During his last visit to the region, from 13 to 16 November, the noble Lord, Lord Levy, represented the Prime Minister at the tenth anniversary commemoration for Yitzhak Rabin. He also took the opportunity to meet Vice-Prime Ministers, Ehud Olmert and Shimon Peres; Israeli Foreign Minister, Silvan Shalom; Labour Party Leader, Amir Peretz; Israeli Interior Minister, Ophir Paz-Pines; Israeli Minister without Portfolio, Haim Ramon; and Israeli Head of Military Intelligence, Aharon Ze'evi Farkash. On the Palestinian side, he met Finance Minister, Salam Fayyad; Palestinian Chief Negotiator, Saeb Erekat; and Palestinian Security Minister, Mohammed Dahlan.

Northern Ireland (Offences) Bill

Lord Maginnis of Drumglass: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Whether they will identify those individuals who may benefit from any special amnesty-type arrangement in Northern Ireland and the offences for which they are currently being sought; and whether these individuals will then be able to travel freely throughout Great Britain and overseas.

Lord Rooker: The Northern Ireland (Offences) Bill sets out a statutory scheme for dealing with offences committed before 10 April 1998 in relation to terrorism and the affairs of Northern Ireland. Decisions on whether an individual is eligible for the scheme will be taken by an independent certification commissioner using criteria set out in the Bill. The number of individuals affected by the legislation will depend on the outcome of the commissioner's decisions. The Government do not hold figures on how many people would meet the eligibility requirements of the scheme.
	Where a person avails of the scheme, he or she may be prosecuted, and on conviction for a terrorist offence would receive a criminal record. His or her movement to certain countries would therefore be restricted in the same way as anyone convicted of such an offence.

Northern Ireland Civil Service

Lord Laird: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	How many staff in the Northern Ireland Civil Service are seconded to trade unions; what is the annual expenditure in salaries and employer add-on costs on such staff; how many working days per year are spent attending to trade union affairs by virtue of facility agreements or by attendance at trade union events; and what is the annual cost of such days.

Lord Rooker: Thirty-two members of staff in the 11 Northern Ireland departments and the Northern Ireland Office are seconded to trade unions, amounting in 2004–05 to £739,173 expenditure in direct salaries, including employer costs.
	The number of working days per year spent on trade union activities under facility arrangements and the cost of these days could be obtained only at disproportionate cost.

Northern Ireland Events Company

Lord Laird: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	What proposals they have to increase funding available to, and extend the remit of, the Northern Ireland Events Company.

Lord Rooker: The draft budget for 2006–08 announced by the Secretary of State on 25 October does not provide for any increase in the Northern Ireland Events Company's budget. The Government are, however, considering inviting the Northern Ireland Events Company to take lead responsibility for administering the funding of community festivals. In these circumstances, increased resources would be made available to the company.

Northern Ireland: Cross-Border Bodies

Lord Laird: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Whether appointments to sections of cross-border implementation bodies which are based in Northern Ireland are made according to the Civil Service Commissioners (Northern Ireland) Order 1999.

Lord Rooker: The Civil Service Commissioners (Northern Ireland) Order 1999 applies only to appointments to the Northern Ireland Civil Service.

Northern Ireland: Disadvantages in Protestant Areas

Lord Laird: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	What internal inquiries into disadvantages in Protestant areas of Northern Ireland have been conducted by the Civil Service; who chaired each inquiry; when such inquiries reported; and what was the result of each.

Lord Rooker: The only inquiry conducted by the Northern Ireland Civil Service into Protestant working class communities has been the Sandy Row and Greater Village study commissioned by the task force to address the needs of Protestant working class communities. The study was undertaken by a team of civil servants under the direction of the task force, chaired by the Permanent Secretary of the Department for Social Development. The findings on Sandy Row were published in January, and the Greater Village in June, with the reports available on the department's website www.dsdni.gov.uk/index/publications/urbanregeneration.htm.

Northern Ireland: Festivals

Lord Laird: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Further to the Written Answer by the Lord Rooker on 2 November (WA 29), why the Department of Culture, Arts and Leisure is consulting on the funding of cultural festivals in Northern Ireland, when the issue of current concern is organisation of festivals and not their funding.

Lord Rooker: The organisation of festivals is primarily a matter for festival organisers. The Department of Culture, Arts and Leisure will shortly consult on a draft policy and guidance framework for festivals. Part of the rationale for the draft policy is to seek to improve event management and organisational capacity in community festivals.

Northern Ireland: Festivals

Lord Laird: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Further to the Written Answer by the Lord Rooker on 10 November (WA 102), what are the details, including dates, of the funding of festivals in Northern Ireland approved by Parliament which allowed the Department of Culture, Arts and Leisure and the Department for Social Development to fund nationalist festivals in West and North Belfast.

Lord Rooker: Further to my Written Answer of 10 November (WA 102), the annual budget orders were made on:
	
		
			 Financial Year Date 
			 2003–04 17 July 2003 
			 2004–05 27 July 2004 
			 2005–06 19 July 2005

Northern Ireland: Health and Social Care Councils

Lord Kilclooney: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	What is the most recent total annual cost of the four health and social care councils; and what is the estimated annual cost of the proposed single patient and client council in Northern Ireland.

Lord Rooker: The cost of the four health and social services councils for the financial year from 1 April 2004 to 31 March 2005 is shown in the table below.
	
		
			 Board Amount £000 
			 Health and Social Services Council—Northern Board 171 
			 Health and Social Services Council—Southern Board 209 
			 Health and Social Service Council—Eastern Board 324 
			 Health and Social Service Council—Western Board 104 
			 Total 808 
		
	
	It is too early to provide an accurate estimate for the cost of the proposed single patient and client council in Northern Ireland at this stage. The proposals and final savings will need to be worked up before accurate costs can be given for the new model.

Northern Ireland: Local Community Fund

Lord Laird: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	What is the purpose of the Local Community Fund; when it was created; and on what conditions its funding is provided.

Lord Rooker: The £3 million Local Community Fund was established with effect from April 2003. Its purpose is to develop greater community capacity and local leadership.
	The fund is targeted on local areas suffering high levels of disadvantage and where community infrastructure is weak.
	Funding is made available to these areas through intermediary funding bodies to support locally agreed activities which meet one or more of the fund's five objectives as follows:
	to develop community capacity and leadership;
	to promote partnership working, within and between communities;
	to help communities improve their local environments;
	to develop intervention programmes with young people; and
	to encourage more active participation by women in local community services.

Northern Ireland: Local Community Fund

Lord Laird: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Who has received funding from the Local Community Fund; for what purposes; and how much has been provided.

Lord Rooker: Details of payments from the Local Community Fund since its establishment in 2003 to date have been placed in the Library.

Northern Ireland: Post-Primary Education

Lord Maginnis of Drumglass: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Further to the Written Answers by the Lord President on 5 July 2004 (WA 59) and the Lord Rooker on 30 June (WA 44), whether they will reconsider their decision not to cost the objectives contained in the Costello report on post-primary education in Northern Ireland.

Lord Rooker: The arrangements necessary to ensure that all pupils have access to the range of academic and vocational courses under the new curricular entitlement framework will be developed locally by schools and colleges working together.
	It is not possible to assess the associated costs at this stage, but the position will be kept under review as new arrangements are developed.

Northern Ireland: School Closures

Lord Maginnis of Drumglass: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	What condition has been applied to primary schools in Northern Ireland which has endangered the future of schools with an enrolment of 40 or fewer pupils; and whether there is a retrospective element to this condition.

Lord Rooker: No specific condition has been applied to primary schools with an enrolment of 40 or fewer pupils. The focus remains on ensuring that schools can provide a high-quality education in a cost-effective manner. Where there is evidence that the size of a school is impacting adversely on the educational experience of pupils, however, school managing and funding authorities are expected to take appropriate action.
	School authorities are also expected to provide plans to return schools with deficits or surpluses greater than 5 per cent to a balanced budget by 2007–08. This applies to all schools, not just the smallest, and there is no requirement for a school to close because of a significant deficit.

Northern Ireland: School Closures

Lord Maginnis of Drumglass: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Further to the reply by the Lord Rooker on 10 November (Official Report, cols. 722–25), how many (a) controlled primary schools, and (b) Catholic maintained schools with enrolment of 40 or fewer pupils there are; what is each school's average enrolment; which schools in each sector are scheduled to be closed; and for each of these schools how many pupils attended between 2002 and 2005.

Lord Rooker: Enrolment figures for the current school year are not yet available. In the 2004–05 school year there were 35 controlled primary schools and 42 maintained primary schools with enrolments of 40 or fewer pupils.
	The attached table indicates the enrolments in each of the schools for 2002–03, 2003–04 and 2004–05.
	Proposals have been approved in respect of the closure of Ardmore PS and Loughbrickland PS in August 2006 and Tulllymacarette PS which will close when the new Dromore Central Primary School is opened.
	Charley Memorial PS, Drumbo PS, Lambeg PS; Dungiven PS, Largy PS and Tullyroan PS are included as part of three amalgamation schemes and will close when the new replacement schools are opened.
	The Department of Education has not received any further closure proposals.
	
		Enrolments at Controlled and Catholic Maintained schools
		
			 School Name Type 2002–03 2003–04 2004–05 
			 Ardmore Controlled 17 20 14 
			 Bellaghy Controlled 36 35 31 
			 Bellarena Controlled 32 38 41 
			 Belleek Controlled 28 26 27 
			 Benburb Controlled 34 34 37 
			 Carnlough Controlled 28 27 35 
			 Charley Memorial Controlled 34 29 20 
			 Churchtown Controlled 29 38 38 
			 Clogher Regional Controlled 31 28 25 
			 Collone Controlled 39 36 31 
			 Culcrow Controlled 43 37 34 
			 Cullycapple Controlled 42 43 42 
			 Drumbo Controlled 24 23 19 
			 Duneane Controlled 35 40 33 
			 Dungiven Controlled 30 26 26 
			 Eglish Controlled 23 24 20 
			 Glenarm Controlled 23 20 22 
			 Grooms Port Controlled 31 27 21 
			 Keady Controlled 38 40 33 
			 Lambeg Controlled 44 32 20 
			 Langfield Controlled 39 41 39 
			 Largy Controlled 43 43 38 
			 Lisnamurrican Controlled 34 29 27 
			 Loughbrickland Controlled 45 39 34 
			 Minterburn Controlled 36 30 36 
			 Newtownbutler 2 Controlled 36 38 40 
			 Queen Elizabeth II,Pomeroy Controlled 58 51 40 
			 Queen Elizabeth II,Trillick Controlled 36 37 29 
			 Shanmullagh Controlled 46 41 38 
			 Stewartstown Controlled 42 38 35 
			 Stragowna Controlled 32 27 23 
			 Tamnamore Controlled 48 44 34 
			 Trillick Controlled 30 31 35 
			 Tullymacarette Controlled 39 33 23 
			 Tullyroan Controlled 43 36 29 
			 All Saints, Banbridge Maintained 19 18 17 
			 All Saints, Omagh Maintained 55 53 38 
			 Altayeskey Maintained 34 33 32 
			 Anamar Maintained 47 43 36 
			 Braid Maintained 33 27 28 
			 Clintyclay Maintained 38 37 35 
			 Crievagh Maintained 35 33 34 
			 Envagh Maintained 14 17 17 
			 Gortnaghey Maintained 44 40 37 
			 Guiness Maintained 26 32 26 
			 Listress Maintained 31 31 30 
			 Loughash Maintained 35 34 32 
			 Lourdes Maintained 38 30 31 
			 Magheralough Maintained 34 36 32 
			 Magilligan Maintained 27 31 35 
			 Roscavey Maintained 39 41 39 
			 St Anne's, Donaghadee Maintained 49 43 40 
			 St Brigid's, Augher Maintained 54 45 40 
			 St Brigid's, Plumbridge Maintained 43 43 39 
			 St Colman's, Moira Maintained 30 32 29 
			 St Colmcille's, Armagh Maintained 46 36 28 
			 St Columba's, Dromore,Omagh Maintained 22 23 22 
			 St Davog's, Scraghey Maintained 25 22 20 
			 St Francis', Castlewellan Maintained 37 37 33 
			 St James' Markethill Maintained 44 43 30 
			 St James's, Tandragee Maintained 26 15 16 
			 St John's, Eglish Maintained 46 40 38 
			 St Joseph's, Ahoghill Maintained 20 17 24 
			 St Joseph's, Artigarvan Maintained 47 44 39 
			 St Joseph's, Caledon Maintained 41 40 36 
			 St Macartan's, Dromore,Omagh Maintained 36 38 32 
			 St Malachy's,Moneymore Maintained 53 50 39 
			 St Mary's, Agivey Maintained 28 28 20 
			 St Mary's, Ballygowan Maintained 25 23 20 
			 St Mary's, Comber Maintained 32 31 34 
			 St Mary's, Fivemiletown Maintained 41 38 33 
			 St Mary's, Rathlin Maintained 7 4 3 
			 St Matthew's,Newtownsaville Maintained 31 32 32 
			 St Patrick's,Aughtercloney Maintained 23 23 26 
			 St Patrick's,Newtownsaville Maintained 26 23 21 
			 St Patrick's, Termon,Omagh Maintained 45 42 36 
			 Tir-Na-Nog Maintained 25 25 30 
		
	
	Figures for enrolments include pupils in nursery classes, reception classes and in year 1 to year 7.

Northern Ireland: School Closures

Lord Maginnis of Drumglass: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Further to the reply by the Lord Rooker on 10 November (Official Report, cols. 722–25), which are the nine schools with an average pupil number of 13.7; and what the enrolment was for each during each of the three years preceding closure.

Lord Rooker: The nine schools and the enrolment details requested are as follows.
	
		
			 School 2000–01 2001–02 2002–03 2003–04 2004–05 2005–06  
			 Ballypriormore PS 33 32 22 - - - Closed 31/12/03 
			 St Joseph's PS Lisconrea 25 10 7 - - - Closed 31/08/03 
			 Toberlane PS 24 22 12 - - - Closed 31/08/03 
			 Ballyrock PS  24 19 11 - - Closed 31/08/04 
			 Brackalislea PS  20 18 4 - - Closed 31/08/04 
			 Granville PS   19 19 21 - Closed 31/08/05 
			 St Mary's PS Laught   14 13 10 - Closed 31/08/05 
			 Ardmore PS20 14 15 To close 31/08/06 
			 Loughbrickland PS39 30 22 To close 31/08/06

Northern Ireland: School Closures

Lord Maginnis of Drumglass: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Further to the reply by the Lord Rooker on 10 November (Official Report, cols. 722–25), whether closures of small primary schools are dictated primarily by concern for educational standards in these schools or by financial constraints and conditions.

Lord Rooker: The department does not require (and has never sought) the closure of schools with financial deficit. The overriding factor is always to take the action that is in the best educational interests of the pupils. The focus remains on ensuring that schools are able to provide a high quality education in a cost-effective manner. Where there is evidence that the size of school is impacting adversely on the educational experience of pupils, however, school managing and funding authorities are expected to take appropriate action.

Northern Ireland: Social Security Benefits

Lord Maginnis of Drumglass: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	What investigations have been carried out into allegations that staff in the Department for Health, Social Services and Public Safety have linked the payment of social security benefits to attendance at an Army recruiting event at Kinnegar Barracks; and whether they have evidence of such alleged practices elsewhere in Northern Ireland.

Lord Rooker: The payment of social security benefits is the responsibility of the Social Security Agency (SSA). The SSA and Department for Employment and Learning have carried out a joint investigation into the specific allegation. I cannot comment on individual cases. Individuals in receipt of jobseeker's allowance are, however, required to be available for and demonstrate that they are actively seeking work. If individuals offer to seek specific jobs as part of their jobseeker's agreement then they are expected to follow up such applications. It is however for the individual to decide which job opportunities they wish to pursue. Failure to apply for jobs or take reasonable steps to gain employment can affect the payment of jobseeker's allowance.

Northern Ireland: St Louis Order

Lord Laird: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Further to the Written Answer by the Lord Rooker on 10 October (WA 63), whether they will place a copy of the departmental economic appraisal, carried out before the purchase of the Middletown site from the St Louis Order, in the Library of the House.

Lord Rooker: A copy of the economic appraisal was placed in the Library of the House in August 2005. The Library has confirmed that it holds a copy under the title Economic Appraisal, Centre of Excellence for Autism Disorder, Department of Education.

Northern Ireland: St Mary's Teacher Training College

Lord Maginnis of Drumglass: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Further to the Written Answer by the Lord Rooker on 10 November (WA 105), on what date St Mary's Teacher Training College, Belfast, was first established; whether it is constrained from reserving places on its governing body for Roman Catholic priests or nuns; and what percentage of its students progress to teach in the Catholic maintained sector of education in Northern Ireland.

Lord Rooker: St Mary's University College was established in September 1985 following the merger of St Mary's Training College and St. Joseph's Training College; however, the origins of the college can be traced back to 1900, when the Dominican Sisters opened St Mary's Training College on the present Falls Road campus.
	St Mary's University College is a college of education established under a charitable educational trust, managed by a board of governors appointed through a scheme of management by the board of trustees. The Department for Employment and Learning has no remit in these matters, aside from nominating four representatives to the board of governors, appointed by a publicly advertised appointments process in line with the Office of the Commissioner for Public Appointments Northern Ireland (OCPA NI) guidance. The department has no locus, therefore, in determining the composition of the governing body.
	The Government do not hold statistics in respect of the education sector in which St Mary's University College graduates are employed.

Northern Ireland: Stranmillis Teacher Training College

Lord Maginnis of Drumglass: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Further to the Written Answer by the Lord Rooker on 10 November (WA 105–6), on what date Stranmillis Teacher Training (University) College, Belfast, was first established; what its status was prior to its incorporation under the Colleges of Education (Northern Ireland) Order 2005 (S.I. 2005/1962); why incorporation was considered necessary; whether there were prior consultations with the three main Protestant churches; and what percentage of its students progress to teach in the controlled sector of education in Northern Ireland.

Lord Rooker: The Stranmillis Training College Committee was first appointed on 19 May 1922, while Stranmillis College was officially established as an institution in September 1922.
	The status of the college prior to incorporation was as an emanation of the Department for Employment and Learning, subject to the direction and control of the Minister with responsibility for employment and learning.
	Incorporation was necessary to ensure that the position of the college was consistent with that of the other higher education institutions (HEIS) in Northern Ireland and to secure an appropriate statutory basis for the college whereby it would be legally distinct from the department.
	A public consultation on proposals to establish Stranmillis University College as a legally distinct corporate institution was completed on 15 October 2004.
	The Government do not hold statistics in respect of the education sector in which Stranmillis University College graduates are employed.

Northern Ireland: Strategic Health and Social Services Authority

Lord Kilclooney: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	What will be the basis of membership of the proposed Strategic Health and Social Services Authority in Northern Ireland.

Lord Rooker: The role of the Strategic Health and Social Services Authority in Northern Ireland will be to implement the Government's policies for health and social services and to manage the performance of the system. Membership of the authority will, therefore, have to reflect a clear understanding of health and social services policy and a strong focus on driving through improvement in the system. Appointments to the new authority will be made in accordance with the public appointments process.

Obesity

Earl Howe: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Which organisations they have invited to comment upon the draft Obesity Care Pathway; by when those comments have been invited; whether they intend that this document should reflect a consensus on the most effective treatment options; and when they will consult with the wider scientific community, the commercial weight loss sector, and patient and practitioner organisations about the details of the pathway; and
	Whether the selective consultation process being followed in relation to the development of the Obesity Care Pathway is consistent with the principles set out in the Cabinet Office Code of Practice on Consultation and with the Code of Good Practice in Consultations and Policy Appraisal.

Lord Warner: The National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence has been commissioned to prepare definitive guidance on the prevention, identification, management and treatment of obesity. This guidance is expected to be published in early 2007, after full consultation.
	More than 150,000 responses were received in response to the consultation on the Choosing Health White Paper in March 2004. As Choosing Health sets out, the Department of Health is developing an Obesity Care Pathway to assist frontline health professionals in managing overweight and obese patients. This is for interim use until NICE's definitive guidance is available. The draft care pathway has been shared with some potential users, listed as follows, for comment on how it might be best applied. A further three-week consultation will be undertaken.
	List of selected organisations/ potential users invited to comment
	Diabetes UK
	Department for Education and Skills
	Royal College of Physicians
	British Dietetics Association
	Blackwater Valley and Hart PCT
	Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health
	Royal College of Nursing
	Faculty of Public Health
	National Obesity Forum
	Strategic Health Authorities
	National Heart Forum
	Regional Directors of Public Health—Government Office Regions
	Royal College of General Practitioners
	Department for Culture, Media and Sport
	BHF National Centre for Physical Activity and Health
	Sport England
	Central Council for Physical Recreation
	Fitness Industry Association
	British Hypertension Society
	The Obesity Awareness and Solutions Trust
	Food Standards Agency
	Community Practitioners' and Health Visitors' Associations

Pesticides

The Countess of Mar: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	What action they have taken on testing pesticides on humans in healthy volunteer studies since the Pesticides Safety Directorate's draft submission of 3 September 2003, and the joint declaration of the European Commission and member states on the use of human data in the review of active substances and the setting of maximum residue levels of pesticides (Doc. SANCO (2003) 2821) of 19 June 2003.

Lord Bach: The Government do not commission or carry out human studies on pesticides. The Pesticides Safety Directorate may accept studies submitted, provided that they are scientifically robust and ethically conducted. The position on that issue has not changed.
	The European Commission's draft declaration on the use of human data was not supported by the member states and has not been adopted.

Pesticides

The Countess of Mar: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Whether the Pesticides Safety Directorate has treated as exempt from public disclosure any studies by pesticide companies of human pesticide ingestion testing which have been marked as confidential business information since 1 January 2000; and, if so, how many.

Lord Bach: The directorate has not received any recent requests for disclosure of studies conducted on human subjects. But it would not, as a matter of principle treat such studies as exempt from disclosure. All inquiries for disclosure under freedom of information legislation would be dealt with in the same way, taking into account the presumption in favour of the public interest.

Press Complaints Commission: Chairmanship

Lord Dykes: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Whether they have expressed a view on the future chairmanship of the Press Complaints Commission.

Lord Davies of Oldham: As set out in the Cabinet Secretary's letter to Sir Christopher Meyer's publishers on 4 November, the Government's view is that it is disappointing that a former diplomat should disclose confidences gained as a result of his employment.
	The Press Complaints Commission is an entirely independent body, and the appointment of its chairman is not a matter for the Government.

Prison Sentences

Lord Lester of Herne Hill: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Further to the Written Statement by the Baroness Scotland of Asthal on 17 November (WS 100), to what extent the Government's stated belief that "prison should be reserved for dangerous, serious and seriously persistent offenders" (a) is reflected in the current convicted prisoner population in England and Wales; and (b) is being put into practice in respect of those currently serving prison sentences who are not "dangerous, serious and seriously persistent offenders".

Baroness Scotland of Asthal: Within the broad statutory limits set by Parliament, it is for the courts to decide in individual cases whether a prison sentence is appropriate. The latest information on the prison population by offence group is published in Table two of the September 2005 Population in Custody monthly tables, a copy of which will be placed in the House of Lords Library. The Criminal Justice Act 2003 recognises the need to protect the public from dangerous offenders by the creation of extended and indefinite sentences ensuring greater scrutiny of whether or not the offender is safe to release and, in some cases, enabling detention for the rest of the offender's life. Prisoners who are considered to be of low risk to the public may be released early under the home detention curfew scheme (HDC) if they meet the eligibility criteria and pass a careful risk assessment. HDC allows prisoners to spend the final part of their sentence on curfew at a suitable, approved address. HDC will not be granted to those who pose a significant risk to victims or the public.

Ulster-Scots Agency

Lord Laird: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	What proposals they have to bring the funding of the Ulster-Scots Agency up to the same level as that of the Irish Language Agency.

Lord Rooker: None at present.

Ulster-Scots Agency

Lord Laird: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	How the Ulster-Scots Agency indicated its agreement with the proposed budget for 2005; when it indicated such agreement; whether the proposed budget was the same as that first requested by the agency; and whether it was the indicative budget supplied by the Department of Culture, Arts and Leisure.

Lord Rooker: I have nothing to add to my Answer of 21 July 2005 (Official Report col. WA 321–22).

Ulster-Scots Agency

Lord Laird: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	By what criteria they judged that the budget for the Ulster-Scots Agency in 2005 was sufficient; whether it complied with the parity of esteem offered in the Belfast agreement; and why the agency has curtailed some of its activities for the second year in succession.

Lord Rooker: I have nothing further to add to the following Answers given to the noble Lord: 15 June 2005 (WA 128); 19 July 2005 (WA 220); 21 July 2005 (WA 321–22); 21 July 2005 (WA 322); 17 November 2005 (WA 173) and 17 November 2005 (WA 173).

Ulster-Scots Agency

Lord Laird: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	What were the new policies which the Ulster-Scots Agency was proposing to implement in 2004 and 2005 which cannot be pursued following the refusal of the Department for Culture, Arts and Leisure to provide funding under care and maintenance.

Lord Rooker: It is up to the Ulster-Scots Agency to prioritise its spending in line with its approved budget.

Ulster-Scots Agency

Lord Laird: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Further to the Written Answer by the Lord Rooker on 17 November (WA 173) that funding for the Ulster-Scots Agency is based on approved actions in the agency's business plans, who approved the actions; when was this done; and by what procedure.

Lord Rooker: In accordance with the North/South Ministerial Council Interim Procedures, Ministers approved the 2004 annual budget and business plan for the Ulster-Scots Agency, on 26 February 2004.

Waterways Ireland

Lord Laird: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Whether they will hold an investigation into why the number of former Northern Ireland civil servants now employed by Waterways Ireland is 90 per cent less than when the organisation was created; why the number of former members of the Irish civil service employed is 20 per cent less; and why there is almost a two to one ratio of Roman Catholic to Protestant employees.

Lord Rooker: There are no grounds for such an investigation.
	I refer the noble Lord to my Answers of 2 November 2005 (WA 38) and 10 November 2005 (WA 13). There is nothing further I can usefully add.

Waterways Ireland

Lord Laird: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Why the investigation of allegations of bullying and other unethical behaviour by the chief executive of Waterways Ireland is being conducted internally; what are the terms of reference of that investigation; and when a report will be published.

Lord Rooker: There is no such investigation. However, a mediation process is being conducted and I refer the noble Lord to my Answer of 21 July 2005 (WA 324). There is nothing further I can usefully add.

Wild Birds

Lord Rotherwick: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Whether they have conducted any research into predation on songbirds in recent years; and, if so, what were the results.

Lord Bach: Wild bird populations are one of the Government's indicators for sustainable development and new statistics were published on 20 October showing that overall, bird populations across the UK are almost 10 per cent higher than 10 years ago. The Government fund the analysis to produce these statistics as well as research into the reasons behind the trends. For example, between 2000 and 2002 we funded research to understand the reasons behind the worrying declines in house sparrows and starlings. The research indicated a number of reasons for the decline of which predation by domestic cats and sparrowhawks was thought to be one of the reasons of decline in urban house sparrows. Other research by English Nature found no evidence that predation by magpies and sparrowhawks causes effects on overall bird populations, habitat being the primary determining factor.
	Other organisations, such as the Forestry Commission, the Game Conservancy Trust, the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds and the British Trust for Ornithology have also carried out important research in this area.
	For further information see:
	www.defra.gov.uk/wildlife-countryside/resprog/findings/sparrow/index.htm.
	www.english-nature.org.uk/pubs/publication/pub–results.asp?C=0&K=144&K2=&l=&A=& Submit1=Search.